'Epitome of kindness and love': Meri Brown remembers late mom Bonnie Ahlstrom on her second death anniversary
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Meri Brown, star of 'Sister Wives,' penned a lovely tribute to her late mother, Bonnie Ahlstrom, on the second anniversary of her death. Meri announced her mother's "unexpected" death in an Instagram post in March 2021, telling followers that Bonnie "left us suddenly" and "way too soon" at the age of 76.
Fans had grown to know and love the former Lizzie's innkeeper over the years, as she appeared on 'Sister Wives' multiple times throughout the show's run. Meri had revealed that the unexpected call to see her mom one last time came after she had a prolonged heart attack. Her mother's death had left a large "hole" in her heart and she had struggled greatly since then.
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'Forever in my heart'
Meri had a strong relationship with her mother and it was evident whenever Bonnie made an appearance in the series. After her mother passed away suddenly two years ago, Meri tries to share her memories whenever possible. Remembering Bonnie on her second death anniversary, the reality star honored her mother in an Instagram post. The 'Sister Wives' star wrote a sweet message with the video she shared, "Two years. Two years since she graced this Earth with her beautiful presence. So many things I would have liked to share with her, discuss with her, and had her hold my hand and heart through."
The reality star also said that her mother will be missed forever and wrote, "This woman, the woman I am honored and blessed to call Mom, was the epitome of strength, kindness, and love. To know her was to love her, and to be loved by her. She will be forever in my heart and the hearts of so many. She will be forever missed.” Bonnie's unexpected death was hard on Meri, as she was lost after that and didn't know how to proceed forward in her life.
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Meri Brown's mother Bonnie Ahlstrom also married a polygamist
While fans got to know Bonnie in the series and many fell in love with her, there are certain things that might still shock them. We all know Bonnie managed Lizzie's Heritage Inn, but did you know she was also married to a polygamist? He had 26 children with all of his wives. Bonnie married "William James Barber Jr. on October 1, 1965, in the Oakland California Temple," according to the United States Obituary website. Fans of Sister Wives may be surprised to learn that she was raised in the area despite being born in Cedar City, Utah in 1945. Bonnie went on to have a large extended family, and at the time of her death, she had "30 immediate grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren." Meri was one of her seven children. Bonnie's husband, William, passed away in 2007.